RAB 2016 - Advice Needed on Female Endurance Road Bike

[SamRose]

Hi - New to this forum and need some advice from experienced road cyclists which bike to buy for the epic LEJOG which I am crazy enough to be taking part in this year At the monent I have a hybrid bike and desperately need to upgrade to an endurance road bike but so many out there I am totally confused. Any suggestions please - I prefer disc brakes and would really prefer flat handlebars but realise this may not be possible in a road bike - Thanks in anticipation - Sam

 

[vickster]

Budget?

Look at something like a specialized Vita or the Whyte R7 series like the wonderfully named Victoria

Don't discount drop bars, something like the Whyte Devon is worth a look and a test ride. You might find drops and the different hand positions better for an endurance ride (ergo grips with bar ends may also work for you on flat bars)

 

[Dogtrousers]

@vickster my wife has a Vita, and it's a nice hybrid, but I wouldn't describe it as a specific endurance bike. That's not to say that you couldn't ride a long way on it, but it's a not particularly light, standard hybrid.

 

[vickster]

@vickster my wife has a Vita, and it's a nice hybrid, but I wouldn't describe it as a specific endurance bike. That's not to say that you couldn't ride a long way on it, but it's a not particularly light, standard hybrid.

Are there many flat bar endurance bikes with disc brakes?

I can't imagine the top end vita models are much more than 10kg, although disc versions might be over that

Something like this might be an alternative
http://m.h2gear.co.uk/122420/produc...currency=GBP&gclid=CM-_7NH32MoCFSrpwgodPUMCGQ

OP needs to get out to the shops

 

[Dogtrousers]

I can't imagine the top end vita models are much more than 10kg, although disc versions might be over that

True ... I was forgetting that the Vita is actually a range of bikes. My wife's is quite a lump, but I've never weighed it. Probably 13kg or something like that.

Some test riding is called for I think.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Lighter the better. RAB is quite a challenge - 960 miles in 9 days. No need to carry anything - that's all taken care of. Most RAB riders are on drop bar road bikes, though you can try to ride it on anything. (I haven't done RAB myself, but I know a number of people who have.)

Edit - RAB added for clarity

 

[vickster]

There's a section dedicated here

https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/lands-end-to-john-ogroats-lejog.9/

 

[youngoldbloke]

Looks like you could ask RAB for advice too http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/is-it-for-me/

 

[smutchin]

See you at Land's End, @SamRose - I'm also doing RAB.

I would second @vickster's comments about drop handlebars - if you're buying a new bike now, you'll have plenty of time to get used to them, and you will probably find on a very long ride that the variety of hand positions they offer are hugely beneficial. Clipless pedals are another roadie thing you should consider if you aren't using them already.

The other thing I would say is make sure that whatever you get takes mudguards - weather conditions, especially in Scotland in September, are likely to be somewhat variable.

 

[steveindenmark]

I ride Koga Roadchamp, 9.4 kg, 30 gears, Shimano 105 all round, 25mm tyres.

Its almost like a roadbike but it comes with flat bars. I have changed mine to butterfly bars and racks for light touring. Its worth a look at.

 

[Kestevan]

Mrs Kes was torn between a Specialized Ruby (with disks) and the Trek Silque SLX.

The Silque won, and Mrs Kes is incredibly happy with said bike - and has sold her other 2 bikes as she has declared she will never want to ride anything else.....

Not a cheap option though.....